Washington: In a striking policy shift, the United States is preparing to share sensitive intelligence with Ukraine to help its forces launch long-range missile attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Wednesday. The move could expand the scale and depth of the conflict, pushing Ukraine’s military operations far beyond the immediate battlefront.
Until now, Washington’s military assistance to Kyiv has centered on defensive systems, battlefield surveillance, and the supply of weapons designed for limited-range operations. U.S. officials cited by the report suggest that this new intelligence flow will be specifically tailored to assist Ukraine in hitting Russian oil refineries, pipelines, and power plants sites that are vital for Moscow’s revenue and its ability to sustain the war effort.
The report also said the Biden administration is encouraging NATO allies to extend similar support, marking what could become a broader Western initiative aimed at undermining Russia’s energy lifelines.
Russia’s energy industry remains a cornerstone of its economy, providing critical funding for military operations. Ukrainian strikes on these assets, aided by U.S. intelligence, would directly challenge Russia’s financial capacity to sustain its campaign in Ukraine. Analysts note that such targeting could carry long-term consequences, not only for the Russian economy but also for global energy markets that remain sensitive to disruptions in supply.
Alongside intelligence assistance, the U.S. is reportedly weighing the option of supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv. With a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (about 1,550 miles), the Tomahawk could allow Ukraine to reach deep into Russian territory, including strategic targets around Moscow.
Ukraine has also been working on its own long-range system, codenamed “Flamingo.” However, the missile remains in early production, and its availability in sufficient numbers is uncertain, meaning Kyiv continues to depend heavily on Western support for strategic strike capabilities.
The decision to authorize expanded intelligence sharing reportedly came shortly before former U.S. President Donald Trump shifted his tone on Ukraine, declaring that Kyiv should “retake all of Ukraine back in its original form.” The timing has fueled speculation that the White House and Congress may be seeking to align policy with growing political consensus on ensuring stronger support for Kyiv.
Moscow is almost certain to view the new U.S. role as an escalation of the war. Russian officials have consistently warned that Western involvement in enabling attacks on Russian soil could trigger broader retaliation. The Kremlin continues to justify its invasion of Ukraine as a response to NATO expansion, and analysts fear that the provision of intelligence for deep strikes will reinforce Russia’s narrative of direct confrontation with the West.
Diplomatic observers say the next steps will depend on whether NATO allies follow Washington’s lead, how Russia calibrates its response, and whether the U.S. actually delivers Tomahawk systems to Kyiv. The decision could also reshape how Ukraine conducts its military strategy, shifting from defense and battlefield attrition to strikes designed to destabilize Russia’s economy at its core.
For now, the report underscores a widening of Western involvement in Ukraine’s war effort one that could alter the balance of power on the battlefield while raising the stakes for escalation between Moscow and Washington.